Investigation of the Stockholm entrepreneurial ecosystem's response to the influx of refugees

Abstract: This study will explore the notion of ecosystems as complex systems that adapt in response to a dynamic and increasingly networked world by investigating how the Stockholm entrepreneurial ecosystem has responded to the current influx of refugees. The concept of entrepreneurial ecosystems has become a buzzword in recent years with various groups in society encouraged to participate in the ecosystem. One such group within the social fabric which has grown rapidly is refugees. The involvement of refugees in the entrepreneurial ecosystem has not been previously studied and therefore constitutes a theoretical gap, which is addressed by the research question: How has the Stockholm entrepreneurial ecosystem responded to the current influx of refugees? A qualitative method was utilised, including ten interviewees who were either experts in their fields or had firsthand knowledge of the challenges faced by refugees. It was found that the current influx of refugees has caused the Migration Office to deal with an unpredictable number of applications, which has led to prolonged processing times. In addition, the refugees' housing arrangements, which are under governmental jurisdiction, are considered too far away from the city centre. The ripple effects of the refugees' dormancy period and geographic isolation are felt in integration efforts. Attempts have been made to address refugee issues through different entrepreneurial initiatives, such as hackathons, mentorship and network-building platforms, education programs and traineeships with companies, which allow refugees to create professional links. Technology start-ups in particular are early adopters of refugee integration projects. Moreover, the lack of identified response mechanisms in financial services represents a gap in services for refugees. The practical implications are the need for better coordination mechanisms among these actors and for the perception of refugees to be focused primarily on their status as entrepreneurs or workers. Greater investment in Human Capital, not only in terms of raising the skill level and Swedish language ability of refugees but also in terms of redesigning recruitment metrics and broadening Culture mind-sets, may also be called for. Another practical implication on a Policy level could be a rethinking of minimum wages and regulations for low-skilled jobs.